The Boatswain's Mate Author:W.W. Jacobs William Wymark Jacobs (September 8, 1863 – September 1, 1943), was an English author of short stories and novels. He is now best remembered for his macabre tales "The Monkey's Paw" (published 1902) and "The Toll House" (in the collection of short stories The Lady of the Barge).